Ballou High School

Summary:

Ballou High School is a public high school in Washington, D.C. that serves 657 students in grades 9-12. The school has an overwhelmingly African American student population, with over 97% of students identifying as African American, significantly higher than nearby schools like Eastern High School and Anacostia High School.

Despite serving a predominantly African American student body, Ballou High School consistently ranks in the bottom half of District of Columbia Public Schools in terms of academic performance. The school's proficiency rates on standardized tests like PARCC and DC CAPE are significantly lower than the district and state averages across subjects like English Language Arts and Mathematics. Ballou High School has also struggled with low graduation rates, ranging from 58% to 75.6% in recent years, well below the state average and lagging behind nearby schools.

While Ballou High School ranks relatively well for special education students, it struggles with low-performing subgroups like African American students, at-risk students, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. These disparities in student subgroup performance suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to address the unique needs of specific populations. Comparing Ballou High School to nearby schools with similar demographics and district affiliations reveals that its academic challenges are not necessarily shared by all schools in the area, indicating that factors specific to Ballou's leadership, resources, or instructional practices may be contributing to its underperformance.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 3401 4th St. SE
       Washington, DC  20032


(202) 645-3400

District: District of Columbia Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
32nd of 34 District Of Columbia High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $31,864 Help


Feeder schools for Ballou High School:

Elementary:    Garfield Elementary School
    Hendley Elementary School
    King Elementary School
    Leckie Education Campus
    More...
Middle:    Hart Middle School
    Johnson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  10.4 Help
Number of students:  657

Racial breakdown:

African American:
97.4%
Hispanic:
2.4%
American Indian:
0.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Ballou High School ranks worse than 94.1% of high schools in District Of Columbia. It also ranks 16th among 17 ranked high schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 17.51. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Ballou High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (97.4%), Hispanic (2.4%), American Indian (0.2%). (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ballou High School is 10.4, which is the 5th best among 17 high schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools. (See more...)
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Compare Ballou High School employs 63 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ballou High School is $31,864, which is the 8th highest among 17 high schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ballou High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ballou High School 32nd of 34 District Of Columbia public high schools. (See Ballou High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:


District of Columbia Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks District of Columbia Public Schools 26th of 47 District Of Columbia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Ballou High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2010 30.07 19th 30 36.7%
2011 18.24 25th 31 19.4%
2012 20.60 23rd 31 25.8%
2014 12.94 30th 35 14.3%
2015 23.70 26th 29 10.3%
2016 23.42 27th 31 12.9%
2017 26.08 26th 34 23.5%
2018 23.49 31st 34 8.8%
2019 26.78 26th 34 23.5%
2022 14.14 30th 30 0.0%
2023 23.12 29th 34 14.7%
2024 17.51 32nd 34 5.9%
See the entire list of District Of Columbia High School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.83 15th 26 42.3%
2019 64.60 6th 25 76.0%
See the entire list of Best District Of Columbia High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 20.99 29th 30 3.3%
2024 18.99 28th 28 0.0%
See the entire list of Best District Of Columbia High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.88 30th 32 6.3%
2019 21.06 30th 31 3.2%
See the entire list of Best District Of Columbia High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for At Risk students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.12 27th 33 18.2%
2019 30.53 24th 31 22.6%
See the entire list of Best District Of Columbia High Schools for At Risk Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 23.45 31st 33 6.1%
2019 32.60 23rd 32 28.1%
See the entire list of Best District Of Columbia High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Ballou High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools DC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.24 31st 34 8.8%
2019 27.89 29th 33 12.1%
See the entire list of Best District Of Columbia High Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: Office of the State Superintendent of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Ballou High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Office of the State Superintendent of Education

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Enrollment information for Ballou High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 7 1902 3 3 1 n/a n/a 0 1916
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1843 1843
1990 19 1564 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1587
1991 21 1339 13 4 0 n/a n/a 0 1377
1992 21 1321 9 7 0 n/a n/a 0 1358
1993 10 1461 6 5 0 n/a n/a 0 1482
1994 7 1459 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 1470
1995 2 1063 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 1070
1996 2 1063 0 5 0 n/a n/a 0 1070
1997 2 847 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 855
1998 1 996 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 1003
1999 0 895 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 899
2000 5 1028 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 1033
2001 3 910 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 916
2002 1 957 2 3 1 n/a n/a 0 964
2003 1 957 2 3 1 n/a n/a 0 964
2004 0 1084 2 2 2 n/a n/a 0 1090
2005 0 957 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 959
2006 0 1108 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1109
2007 0 1278 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 1279
2008 0 1518 0 3 1 n/a n/a 0 1522
2009 0 1260 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 1263
2010 2 1157 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 1162
2011 2 1057 0 3 1 1 0 0 1064
2012 0 946 0 4 0 0 1 0 951
2013 2 783 0 6 0 0 0 0 791
2014 4 664 0 9 0 0 1 0 678
2015 5 733 0 16 0 0 1 0 755
2016 0 908 0 21 0 2 2 0 933
2017 2 909 0 19 0 0 0 0 930
2018 0 864 0 15 0 0 1 0 880
2019 1 640 0 9 0 0 0 0 650
2020 1 555 0 17 0 0 0 0 573
2021 0 645 0 18 1 0 0 0 664
2022 0 625 0 10 1 0 0 0 636
2023 0 640 0 16 1 0 0 0 657

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ballou High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1916 115.0 16.6 10.5
1989 1843 125.0 14.7 10.9
1990 1587 129.0 12.3 10
1991 1377 103.0 13.3 16.7
1992 1358 86.0 15.7 21.9
1993 1482 84.0 17.6 26.9
1994 1470 101.0 14.6 26.7
1995 1070 67.0 16.0 86.4
1996 1070 67.0 16.0 86.4
1997 855 62.0 13.8 47.5
1998 1003 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 899 71.0 12.7 n/a
2000 1033 71.0 14.5 68.9
2001 916 67.0 13.7 86.6
2002 964 n/a n/a 70.2
2003 964 n/a n/a 70.2
2004 1090 68.0 16.0 82.3
2005 959 91.0 10.5 93
2006 1109 91.0 12.2 83.7
2007 1279 99.0 12.9 67.4
2008 1522 113.0 13.5 76.3
2009 1263 102.0 12.4 81
2010 1162 88.0 13.2 81.7
2011 1064 84.0 12.6 89.2
2012 951 69.0 13.7 63.3
2013 791 73.0 10.8 64.6
2014 678 64.5 10.5 99.6
2015 755 82.0 9.2 100
2016 933 74.0 12.6 100
2017 930 85.0 10.9 n/a
2018 880 70.0 12.5 n/a
2019 650 69.0 9.4 n/a
2020 573 49.5 11.5 n/a
2021 664 54.9 12.0 n/a
2022 636 53.4 11.8 n/a
2023 657 63.0 10.4 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ballou High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1916 115.0 16.6 10.5
1989 1843 125.0 14.7 10.9
1990 1587 129.0 12.3 10
1991 1377 103.0 13.3 16.7
1992 1358 86.0 15.7 21.9
1993 1482 84.0 17.6 26.9
1994 1470 101.0 14.6 26.7
1995 1070 67.0 16.0 86.4
1996 1070 67.0 16.0 86.4
1997 855 62.0 13.8 47.5
1998 1003 n/a 0.0 n/a
1999 899 71.0 12.7 n/a
2000 1033 71.0 14.5 68.9
2001 916 67.0 13.7 86.6
2002 964 n/a n/a 70.2
2003 964 n/a n/a 70.2
2004 1090 68.0 16.0 82.3
2005 959 91.0 10.5 93
2006 1109 91.0 12.2 83.7
2007 1279 99.0 12.9 67.4
2008 1522 113.0 13.5 76.3
2009 1263 102.0 12.4 81
2010 1162 88.0 13.2 81.7
2011 1064 84.0 12.6 89.2
2012 951 69.0 13.7 63.3
2013 791 73.0 10.8 64.6
2014 678 64.5 10.5 99.6
2015 755 82.0 9.2 100
2016 933 74.0 12.6 100
2017 930 85.0 10.9 n/a
2018 880 70.0 12.5 n/a
2019 650 69.0 9.4 n/a
2020 573 49.5 11.5 n/a
2021 664 54.9 12.0 n/a
2022 636 53.4 11.8 n/a
2023 657 63.0 10.4 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ballou High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $3,604 (14.7%) $20,915 (85.3%) $24,518
2020 $3,975 (14.1%) $24,122 (85.9%) $28,097
2021 $4,531 (17.2%) $21,765 (82.8%) $26,296
2022 $6,193 (21.2%) $22,958 (78.8%) $29,151
2023 $4,098 (12.9%) $27,766 (87.1%) $31,864

Data source: District Of Columbia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ballou High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 26th of 34 High schoolsRanks 29th of 34 High schools
 8.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
10th Grade Geometry (Ballou High School)3.31.1
 2.2%
   10th Grade Geometry (District of Columbia Public Schools)13.17.9
 5.2%
   10th Grade Geometry (District Of Columbia)12.26.7
 5.5%
End of Course English II (Ballou High School)5.29.7
 4.5%
   End of Course English II (District of Columbia Public Schools)38.636.9
 1.7%
   End of Course English II (District Of Columbia)33.733.8
 0.1%
End of Course Geometry (Ballou High School)2.50.6
 1.9%
   End of Course Geometry (District of Columbia Public Schools)20.114.2
 5.9%
   End of Course Geometry (District Of Columbia)17.212.8
 4.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students650657
 1.1%
African American640640
American Indian01
Asian00
Hispanic916
 77.8%
Pacific Islander00
White10
 100%
Two or More Races00


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Frequently Asked Questions about Ballou High School

Students at Ballou High School are 97% African American, 2% Hispanic.

Ballou High School ranks in the bottom 5.9% of District Of Columbia high schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 657 students attended Ballou High School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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